Daryn Colledge

Darryn Colledge To Retire

Dolphins offensive lineman Daryn Colledge has announced that he will retire from the NFL, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

The decision was announced through his agency in a series of Tweets. The overall statement reads as followed:

“My friend and client Daryn Colledge is retiring after nine years in the NFL. Daryn did not miss a start, due to injury, during his four years of high school, four years at Boise St, and his first eight-and-a-half years in the NFL, where he played for the Packers, Dolphins, and Cardinals. He had 122 consecutive starts in the NFL. He was a pro’s pro. He retires with a Super Bowl Championship, his health in tact, great friendships, and financial stability. He is a licensed pilot, and the owner of his own plane, and partners with two former Packer offensive linemen in a wine label, 3 FAT GUYS. He’s moving to Italy for a year with his best friend, and wife, Megan and their two beautiful daughters. We should all be so lucky. He’s truly a renaissance man. Congratulations on a career well played, and a life well lived, thus far.”

Colledge played 13 games at left guard for the Dolphins in 2014, struggling throughout the season. Still, the team will have to look for another option along the interior of the offensive line for this upcoming season.

Dolphins Sign Daryn Colledge

JULY 7: According to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (Twitter link), Colledge’s one-year pact with the Dolphins can be worth up to $2MM, with $250K guaranteed. The deal has a $1.25MM base, with up to $750K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link).

JUNE 30: The Dolphins have agreed to sign offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, according to the team’s official Twitter account (link). Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald first reported that the two sides were close to a deal. The Dolphins, looking for a center after Mike Pouncey underwent hip surgery last week, brought Colledge in for a workout today and apparently liked what they saw. James Walker of ESPN.com tweets that it is a one-year deal.

Colledge has never missed a game as a professional, playing five years with the Packers before joining the Cardinals for three seasons. He was released by Arizona in March.

Florida Notes: Jags, Dolphins, Colledge

In his first two drafts as the Jaguars‘ general manager, David Caldwell has used four of his five first- or second-round selections on offensive players, but Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union doesn’t expect that to be the case in 2015. In Carlyon’s view, it’s a safe bet that Jacksonville will target a pass-rusher to fill the Leo role on defense. Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, Michigan State’s Shilique Calhoun, and Dante Fowler of Florida are among the players the Times-Union scribe suggests Jags fans keep an eye on when the 2014 NCAA season gets underway.

Here’s more on the Jags and another of the NFL’s Florida teams:

  • Within the same piece, Carlyon notes that safety Sherrod Martin will be one of the more intriguing players to watch in training camp for the Jaguars this summer. Martin has about as much combined starting experience as fellow safeties Johnathan Cyprien, Josh Evans, Winston Guy and Chris Prosinski, but his spot on the regular season roster is far from guaranteed.
  • In his discussion of Daryn Colledge‘s impending meeting with the Dolphins, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald points out that, under new general manager Dennis Hickey, the team has attempted to sign every free agent it has brought in for a visit. That bodes well for Colledge’s chancing of earning a contract offer in the wake of Mike Pouncey‘s hip injury.
  • Dolphins safety Reshad Jones is intent on bouncing back in 2014 after a down 2013, vowing to practice harder this year, as Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel details. Jones has a guaranteed salary for the next two seasons, so even if he struggles again in ’14, Miami is unlikely to give up on him.

Free Agent Notes: Roby, Nwaneri, Colledge

Here are a handful of free agent notes from around the NFL. We’ll continue to update this post throughout the night as more news rolls in…

  • The Falcons have signed veteran wide receiver Courtney Roby, reports Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). The 31-year-old’s best season came as a rookie in 2005, when he caught 21 passes for 289 yards with the Titans. Roby appeared in 57 games with Saints from 2009-2012, where he returned 75 kicks for 1,939 yards and served as the team’s special team’s captain.
  • The Cowboys have officially announced the signing of veteran guard Uche Nwaneri, who was reported to be heading to Dallas earlier this week. To make room on the roster, the team placed guard Tyronne Green on the reserved/injured list.
  • Offensive lineman Daryn Colledge is planning on visiting the Dolphins, reports Jason Cole of the National Football Post (via Twitter). The team is seeking a center after losing starter Mike Pouncey, who underwent hip surgery earlier this week. Colledge, a former second-round pick, spent five years with the Packers prior to joining the Cardinals.

NFC East Notes: Cousins, Colledge, Eagles

Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins reportedly drew renewed trade interest during last week’s draft, but GM Bruce Allen confirmed yesterday that the club never came close to moving Cousins over the past few days. With Cousins appearing likely to stay put in Washington, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets that the Browns’ previous efforts to acquire Cousins were rebuffed by the ‘Skins. Although many involved parties, including Cousins and starting QB Robert Griffin III, would welcome a deal that sent the No. 2 elsewhere, Allen doesn’t seem inclined to make such a move anytime soon, as La Canfora tweets.

Here’s more from around the NFC East:

  • Free agent offensive lineman Daryn Colledge will pay a visit to Philadelphia to meet with the Eagles this week, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The Eagles didn’t select an offensive lineman in the draft despite planning to do so, so a veteran player like Colledge could provide some depth.
  • Peter King of TheMMQB.com takes a behind-the-scenes look at the draft’s No. 22 pick, which the Eagles essentially put up for auction after a few of their top targets came off the board. While the Browns beat out the Vikings to land the pick, Philadelphia had two more “solid” offers from unknown teams, and one of those clubs was actually the leader until Cleveland swooped in and sweetened its offer. Had that mystery team acquired the pick, it would have drafted a player besides Johnny Manziel, says King.
  • The Redskins made a pair of cuts yesterday, waiving kicker Jake Rogers and wide receiver David Gettis, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times.
  • Washington is the only NFC East team that has yet to announce its undrafted free agent signings. Earlier today we passed along the Cowboys‘ list, while we heard about the Giants‘ signings yesterday and the Eagles‘ additions over the weekend.

AFC East Notes: Bills, Ebron, Dolphins, Jets

Over the weekend, we heard that former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly has interest in being part of the team’s next ownership group, but Kelly isn’t the only Bills legend who wants to play a role in keeping the franchise in Buffalo. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk details, a group called the Buffalo Fan Alliance announced on Monday that former Bills wide receiver Andre Reed and kicker Steve Christie are members of its advisory board. The group’s goal is to raise between $100-170MM, which would serve as interest-free loan to the Bills’ new ownership group as a way to entice the new owners to keep the club in Buffalo.

Florio expresses some skepticism about how practical the idea really is and makes some good points, but at the very least, having big names like Kelly, Reed, and Christie involved in the process can’t be a bad thing for Buffalo football fans.

Here’s more from around the AFC East:

  • We heard yesterday that UNC tight end Eric Ebron believes the Lions are a potential landing spot for him, and in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, he suggested that the Bills fall into that category as well. “Those are the two teams that I believe are the highest upon me,” Ebron said, according to Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. “Now are they telling the same things they are telling me to everybody else? I don’t know. But from my perspective and my point of view, those are the two teams that I believe if they could have signed me that day would have.”
  • Alex Marvez of Fox Sports suggests (via Twitter) that free agent offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, who drew some interest from the Dolphins early in free agency, is a name to continue monitoring as a possible Miami target.
  • Jamar Taylor, who was selected by the Dolphins out of Boise State in the second round of the 2013 draft, told Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman last week that there were times during his injury-plagued rookie season when he was seriously considering retiring from the NFL. However, he worked through that adversity and is looking forward to turning “a lot of heads” in his second season.
  • The Jets are hosting Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas for a pre-draft visit today, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

FA Rumors: Vikings, 49ers, DRC, Cowboys

Vikings GM Rick Spielman spoke to reporters on a conference call today, and indicated that his team is “not by any means finished” in free agency, and will continue to be aggressive in exploring potential upgrades (Twitter links via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press). According to Spielman, the Vikings still have interest in free agents Charlie Johnson and Kevin Williams, and have spoken to Williams’ agent recently (Twitter links via Tomasson).

Here are plenty more afternoon free agent rumors from around the NFL:

  • After meeting with the Chiefs today, Emmanuel Sanders‘ next visit will be with the 49ers, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The free agent wide receiver, who has also visited the Jaguars and Buccaneers this week, will be staying in Kansas City overnight, so the Chiefs still have a chance to lock him up before he reaches San Francisco, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
  • Ian Rapoport of NFL.com gets the sense that Julian Edelman‘s visit with the 49ers is more a feeling out process for both sides than an indication anything is imminent (Twitter link).
  • Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is heading to New York tonight to meet with the Jets, reports Schefter (via Twitter).
  • The Seahawks have expressed interest in bringing back wide receiver Sidney Rice, who was released by the club earlier in the offseason, writes Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times.
  • In addition to having some interest in Julius Peppers, as we heard earlier, the Cowboys are keeping an eye on Jared Allen and would be interested if his price falls, writes Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • Free agent tight ends Jermichael Finley and Ed Dickson don’t appear to be in the Giants‘ plans for now, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com (via Twitter).
  • Free agent guard Daryn Colledge met with the Rams today, and is now off to meet with the Raiders, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  • The Bengals have confirmed that two offensive linemen, Vlad Ducasse and Uche Nwaneri, both visited the team today, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

FA Rumors: 49ers, Tate, Rams, Melton, Bills

News of signings and visits is gradually slowing down as we approach the 72-hour mark of free agency, but there are plenty of players still seeking contracts, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a number of those free agents find deals today. Here’s the latest on a few available players:

  • The 49ers are comfortable heading into 2014 with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as their starting cornerbacks, but are willing to offer Tarell Brown a three-year, $10MM deal to return, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
  • Free agent running back Ben Tate‘s visit with the Browns is continuing into today, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
  • The Rams “aren’t quite done” in free agency, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (Twitter link). Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com notes that the team remains interested in free agent guards Daryn Colledge and Davin Joseph.
  • Speaking of Fisher, the Rams will host one of his former players from Tennessee, as wide receiver Kenny Britt is scheduled to visit St. Louis, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Earlier today, we heard that Henry Melton was en route to Seattle to visit the Seahawks after spending the night in Minnesota. After his Seattle meeting, Melton will visit the Cowboys, tweets Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • The Bills have confirmed that free agent running back Anthony Dixon and linebacker Brandon Spikes are visiting the team today, according to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.
  • Chris Russell of ESPN Radio (Twitter link) hears that cornerback Walter Thurmond is no longer scheduled to visit the Redskins.
  • Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star explores the Colts‘ signing of Phil Costa and their rumored interest in Alex Mack, suggesting that Costa represents a solid fallback starting option at center if the team is unable to land Mack.

Dolphins Rumors: Strief, Smith, Brown

Here’s a look at the latest out of Miami, courtesy of the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson..

  • Zach Strief, 30, remains by far the best unsigned right tackle, and the Dolphins want to set up a visit with him. Trouble is, he was committed to a banquet in Cincinnati and was unable to take any visits when Miami reached out to him. The Dolphins tried him again this afternoon and a decision is pending.
  • Guard Shelley Smith is visiting with the Dolphins tonight after visiting with the Patriots this afternoon and his camp is hopeful there will be an offer from Miami. The 30-year-old has started just eight games over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Miami has called to express some level of interest in several other guards, including Daryn Colledge and Wade Smith and center/guard Evan Dietrich-Smith. Davin Joseph remains a possibility as well.
  • Miami has expressed interest in cornerbacks Tarell Brown and Walter Thurmond.

FA Rumors: Steve Smith, Andre Brown, Hatcher

The Ravens will be in hot pursuit of Steve Smith when he’s officially released by the Panthers, and a deal could end up materializing quickly, says Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Here’s more:

  • It sounds like there’s a decent chance free agent running back Andre Brown could end up signing with the Raiders, continuing the offseason’s apparent free agent swap between Oakland and the Giants, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.
  • Assuming Jason Hatcher doesn’t sign with the Raiders, the defensive lineman will visit the Redskins, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • Cornerback Brandon Browner will visit with the Redskins tonight, according to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link).
  • The Panthers have interest in bringing back free agent receiver Brandon LaFell, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Although fullback Henry Hynoski is visiting the Lions today, he has remained in contact with the Giants, tweets Rapoport.
  • ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter links) has the details on the Titans‘ upcoming free agent visits: LaMarr Woodley intends to visit Friday if he doesn’t sign with the Raiders, while Pat Sims and Antonio Smith will visit today.
  • The Vikings have made a call inquiring on free agent guard Daryn Colledge, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Colledge, who will visit the Rams today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), was recently cut loose by the Cardinals for cap savings.